The In Vivo Survival of Coombs Positive Autologous Erythrocytes Produced by Agglomeration

Abstract

Coombs positive erythrocytes were observed following the preservation of autologous, human erythrocytes using glycerol, slow freezing, and agglomeration. In 22 of 48 autotransfusions, the preserved erythrocytes were Coombs positive when tested with an anti‐gamma + non‐gamma globulin serum. In ten of these 22 units, the erythrocytes were tested with both an anti‐7S gamma globulin serum and an anti‐β1C globulin serum. All of the erythrocytes in these ten units reacted positively with the anti‐β1C globulin serum, and only one unit reacted equivocally with the anti‐7S gamma globulin serum.The reduction in ionic strength during glycerolization allowed for the uptake of the complement fraction β1C by the erythrocytes. There was a significant correlation between the Coombs test and the per cent of initial ionic strength of the erythrocyte resuspension medium after glycerolization.There was no significant correlation between the Coombs test and the 24‐hour and seven‐day chromium survivals.